Where to find the hardest hikes around Portland

Looking to round out summer with a few good leg-burners? You’ve come to the right place. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into some of the toughest hiking trails around the Portland area, finding them at Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge and the Coast Range. These are not your average day hikes – they’re intense climbs meant only for the hardiest of hikers. We have all the details to help you settle on the best hike for you, from mileage and elevation gain to the necessary precautions at each place. If you’ve spent the season on some of the easier and more moderate trails, this might be the time to challenge yourself. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Our “hard” hikes include a pair of beautiful spots on Mount Hood. The “harder” hikes feature some popular places on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. A pair of “hardest” hikes go up some of the steepest inclines in the area, with lots of mileage to keep your heart pumping. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. -- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices